Your Gutter Inspection Spring Checklist

The Ultimate Guide To Inspecting Your Home’s Gutters by Gutterman Services

Spring is the time when you can finally go outside and work on your yard, garden, and, most importantly, your gutters. After a long winter season, your gutters may have accumulated dirt, grime, and debris that can end up leaving you with damaged or broken gutters. To prevent costly repairs and replacements, it’s best to thoroughly inspect your gutters in the spring to make sure they’re working effectively for the upcoming May showers and monsoon season.

In this blog, we will discuss why you should clean your gutters, the best way to inspect them, and will go over the checklist you should follow. Here at Gutterman Services, we offer our expert knowledge because we care about the homeowners we serve. Call us today if you have any questions or need help with gutter cleanings—we’ll be happy to assist.

How Often Should Gutters Be Inspected?

Most gutters require minimal maintenance, but it is always important to inspect them regularly for clogs, sags, leaks, cracks, or other damages. We recommend examining and thoroughly cleaning your gutters at least twice a year. Early spring is one of the best times to inspect your gutter system for any issues due to ice or strong winds during the winter months.

What Happens if You Neglect Your Gutters

• Roof Water Damage

When gutters are clogged, water can pool on the roof, leading to erosion and leaks. This excess moisture can infiltrate the attic through the fascia and soffit boards, ultimately causing timber beams to rot and potentially compromising the structural integrity of your home.

• Siding Deterioration 

Clogged gutters prevent proper drainage, allowing water to seep into the interior walls through the siding. This moisture creates an ideal environment for mold, mildew, and wood rot to thrive, leading to costly repairs and health concerns.

• Window Frame Decay

As water accumulates and finds its way into the interior of your walls, window frames can begin to rot as well. Not only does this hurt the integrity of your windows, but it also creates drafts that increase your utility bills by forcing your heating and cooling system to work harder.

• Foundation Damage

When water pools around the foundation of your home due to clogged gutters, it can lead to serious structural issues. In winter, the water may freeze and expand, causing the concrete to crack. Over time, this cycle of expansion and contraction can erode the soil underneath the foundation, causing your house to sink. 

• Pest Infestation

Neglected gutters provide easy access for pests like rats, squirrels, wasps, and more to enter your home. Damaged eaves, siding, and window frames serve as entry points for these unwanted guests, bringing along a host of problems and potential health hazards.

Check for Common Gutter Problems

At Gutterman Services, we’ve come across our fair share of gutter problems during spring inspections. It’s important to be aware of these types of problems so you know what to look for, and call a professional as soon as you need one. Getting repairs or replacements for faulty gutters ensures that your home stays protected from severe weather events, water damage, mold, and more. When inspecting your home’s gutters, first look for:

1. Clogs or Leaks

When your gutters are clogged, water isn’t able to effectively flow causing them to overflow and leak. On top of your home, gutters collect a good amount of debris such as leaves, twigs, and other organic materials.  This is the most common gutter problem homeowners come across, but thankfully the easiest to overcome.

2. Detached Gutters or Downspouts

When your gutters become clogged and heavy, they can detach or separate from your home. This allows water to run down the outside of your house into its foundation. Once water makes it to the foundation of your home, it can cause deterioration, mold growth, and leaks. 

3. Improper Installation

Some problems associated with gutters originate from the initial installation. When gutters are installed poorly, they tend to not slope at the right angle, causing water to stand still and pool instead of flow away from the home. When this happens, your gutters will start to deteriorate and rust.

4. Gutter Cracks, Holes, and Rust Spots

If you live in a green area with trees all around your home, you’re at a higher risk of gutter cracks and holes due to fallen tree branches. During intense storms, branches can penetrate gutters or knock them off your home completely, which is why it’s important to inspect them in the spring.

Prepare Your Gutters For Spring

There are a few things you can do to prepare your gutters for spring. These include:

Clean and Inspect Gutters

• Remove any debris such as leaves, sticks, and mud from the gutters.
• Check for any obstructions like nests or clumps of mud and clear them out.
• Ensure the water flows freely through the gutters.

Trim Trees Surrounding Your Home

• Trim branches to prevent them from overhanging or touching the roof.
• Consider hiring a professional tree care company for larger branches.
• Inspect trees for any limbs touching or close to the roof or gutter system.
• Address any damage caused by winter storms such as bending or breakage.

Inspect Fascia Boards

• Examine fascia boards for signs of sagging, bowing, or loose spikes.
• Repair any damage to the fascia to ensure the gutter system’s stability.

Consider Installing Gutter Guards:

• Gutter guards prevent debris from entering gutters while allowing water to pass through.
• Choose high-quality gutter guards to minimize maintenance needs.
• Regular maintenance of gutter guards is required, but it’s less work than cleaning gutters multiple times a year.

The Importance of Hiring a Professional To Inspect Your Gutters

While it’s possible to clean and inspect gutters on your own, there are many reasons why you should consider hiring a professional:

Safety

Inspecting gutters involves working at heights, which can be dangerous to do alone. Gutter professionals like the ones at Gutterman Services are equipped with proper safety gear and industry-leading expertise to ensure the job is done safely. 

Efficiency

At Gutterman Services, we have specialized tools and equipment that enable us to clean gutters quickly and thoroughly. We also ensure all debris is removed, preventing potential clogs and damage.

Quality Workmanship

Professionals are trained to spot underlying issues with gutters that may go unnoticed by homeowners. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent damage to your home and save you money in the long term.

Expertise

With years of experience, our gutter experts have valuable knowledge about gutter systems and can identify problems such as improper installation or structural damage. Our expertise also allows us to offer advice on maintenance and preventive measures tailored to your home and gutters. 

Convenience

Gutter cleaning is a messy and time-consuming task. Hiring a professional saves you the hassle and inconvenience of handling the job yourself, freeing up your time for other priorities.

Schedule Your Next Gutter Inspection with Gutterman Services

When spring is around the corner, call Gutterman Services for a thorough inspection of your home’s gutters to ensure supreme efficiency. Our experienced professionals are equipped with the necessary expertise, tools, and safety measures to ensure that your gutters are clean, functional, and well-maintained all year round. 

Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home is protected from water damage and structural issues with a professional gutter inspection and cleaning. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Gutterman today—a quick phone call is all it takes to protect your home.